UWWH Partners with Wooster Community Hospital

February 5, 2021

Wooster, Ohio (February 4, 2021) Beginning in March, children born at Wooster Community Hospital will be automatically enrolled in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library – a program made possible here locally because of United Way of Wayne and Holmes Counties (UWWH).

Children enrolled at birth will receive one free book a month until they turn five. This means they will go to Kindergarten with a personal library of at least 60 books. Babies born at Wooster Community Hospital who also live in Holmes or Wayne Counties will be sent home with their very first book The Little Engine that Could by Watty Piper. The books that they will receive are age appropriate, timeless and trendy – all handpicked and approved by Dolly Parton herself.

“Literacy is one vital key to future success,” said Katie Koglman, Executive Director, United Way of Wayne and Holmes, “By partnering with Wooster Community Hospital we are ensuring a child is enrolled and enjoying the beauty of reading as soon as possible!”

Wooster Community Hospital was thrilled to partner with United Way of Wayne and Holmes. Tara Raudebaugh, Director of Perinatal Services had this to say about the partnership, “Women’s Pavilion is honored to partner with The United Way of Wayne and Holmes County by enrolling newborns into the Dolly Parton Imagination Library! Reading to children is a blessing.” Her colleague Nicole Sword, Lactation Program Coordinator also expressed her excitement “Saying we are really excited to have the opportunity to bring this program to the families that deliver with us. The Women's Pavilion is prepared to enroll new babies because its NEVER too soon to start reading to your child.”

Presently, nearly 3,500 children in Holmes and Wayne Counties are enrolled in the program. Enrollment can be done on-line at imaginationlibrary.com or by calling United Way of Wayne and Holmes at (330) 263-6363.

Babies who are born at WCH who live in a surrounding county will also be enrolled in the program, but not receive their first book – that will be received in the mail after registration is completed.

This program is funded by United Way of Wayne and Holmes, Orrville Area United Way, The Dollywood Foundation and with a temporary 50% cost share from the Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library. If you would like to sponsor a child in this program text: FREEBOOKS to: 44-321

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Why we stay nonpartisan

By Katie Koglman • October 7, 2026

United We Help: Why United Way Wayne and Holmes Stays Nonpartisan Turn on the television. Scroll social media. Check your mailbox. Election season brings a steady stream of political messages, each competing for our attention and asking us to choose a side. It can be overwhelming, especially when you are trying to separate facts from opinions and decide whom to trust. At United Way Wayne and Holmes Counties, we value the trust our community places in us. That is why we want to be clear about our role during elections.We do not endorse candidates, oppose candidates, or tell people whom to vote for. As a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, we are prohibited from participating in political campaigns for or against candidates for public office. This is a legal requirement , not simply an organizational preference. Our responsibility is to serve Wayne and Holmes Counties and bring people together to help our neighbors. Nonpartisan does not mean silent We see the challenges people face every day: families struggling to afford groceries, workers facing transportation barriers, children needing opportunities to learn, and neighbors searching for mental health support. We have a role in helping our community and policymakers understand those needs. We can share information, educate elected officials, build relationships, and speak up about issues connected to our mission. We can also engage in some lobbying on specific legislation, within the limits that apply to charitable organizations. Speaking up about a community need is different from asking you to vote for a particular candidate. Can we do that? Our “Can We Do That? A Quick Guide to Nonprofit Advocacy” graphic uses a traffic-light approach to explain the difference. Green: Speak up for our community. Share stories, explain community needs, educate policymakers, and encourage civic participation. Yellow: Know the rules. Supporting or opposing specific legislation is lobbying, which comes with limits and responsibilities. Red: No candidate endorsements. We cannot support or oppose candidates, contribute organizational funds to their campaigns, or use our organizational voice to tell you whom to elect. We can encourage people to register and vote, and provide voter information, as long as those efforts remain neutral and do not favor or oppose candidates or political parties. Your vote belongs to you You may hear us discuss hunger, literacy, housing, transportation, or other issues affecting local families. You may see us meeting with elected officials to help them understand what is happening in our communities. Those conversations are about the people we serve. They are not candidate endorsements. We encourage you to ask questions, examine reliable information, learn about candidates, and make your own informed choices. The neighbors who turn to us for help have different backgrounds, beliefs, and political views. So do the donors, volunteers, and partners who make our work possible. Helping our community takes all of us. Election season will come and go. Our commitment to Wayne and Holmes counties continues regardless of the outcome. We encourage all of you to vote, and vote for who you think is the best candidate! Early voting begins October 6, 2026 through Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026 and Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. To find where you should go to vote Click Here. Go VOTE!!